Dosing Sulfur ?

[Back2Reef]

I recently did an ICP test and one of the recommendations said to dose Sulfur.

Could I not just stir the sand bed a little instead ?

Please advise. Thx.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

No, sand beds are not useful in this context.

How are you adding calcium and alkalinity?

That’s usually how sulfate gets depressed.

 

[Back2Reef]

No, sand beds are not useful in this context.

How are you adding calcium and alkalinity?

That’s usually how sulfate gets depressed.

Interesting! Thank you for your reply.
Yes I am dosing the ESV B-Ionic 2 part - Alkalinity and Calcium. I’m dosing using a
Dosing pump. Alkalinity is currently at 10.65 and Calcium at 483. I’m trying to bring both down a bit.

 

[Pod_01]

Yes I am dosing the ESV B-Ionic 2 part - Alkalinity and Calcium.

Interesting, that is unexpected behaviour for ESV 2 part. Just curious, are you dosing equal amount of each.

As an aside I also got low S for FM ICP test just after they released this:

Before it was always good.

 

[Back2Reef]

Interesting, that is unexpected behaviour for ESV 2 part. Just curious, are you dosing equal amount of each.

As an aside I also got low S for FM ICP test just after they released this:

Before it was always good.

I just bought a bottle. I think they got us, Hook, line, and sinker, lol.

As for dosing the ESV 2 part, I am a bit confused about it. I’m currently using the Neptune system and I told it the value of each part what I want to maintain and it dose (or not) base on what the measurement value is. So I’m not sure if it is dosing equal amount. Probably not. May be I should just dumb that down and simply dose equal amount.

That for your post. Cheers.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

ESV B-ionic wouldn’t cause low sulfate unless it was made wrong. There’s supposed to be significant sulfate in the alk part to avoid this issue. Usually it comes from using just sodium carbonate and calcium chloride.

Sodium sulfate is cheap and is the thing to use.

How big is the tank?

 

[Pod_01]

As for dosing the ESV 2 part, I am a bit confused about it. I’m currently using the Neptune system and I told it the value of each part what I want to maintain and it dose (or not) base on what the measurement value is.

The ESV 2 part is designed to be dosed in equal amounts based on Alk demand. If you need to add 20ml of Alk during the day, you should also add 20ml of calcium part. This way all elements stay in ionic balance.

I use similar product and I only monitor calcium and make adjustments to calcium if it gets below 400 or above 500. Makes things less stressful vs. measuring alk and calcium and tying to adjust both individually.

Good luck,

 

[Back2Reef]

ESV B-ionic wouldn’t cause low sulfate unless it was made wrong. There’s supposed to be significant sulfate in the alk part to avoid this issue. Usually it comes from using just sodium carbonate and calcium chloride.

Sodium sulfate is cheap and is the thing to use.

How big is the tank?

25 gallon.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you buy and dose food grade sodium sulfate, you can boost it if you want.

If you want a 300 ppm boost from 2300 to 2600 ppm, that means 300 mg sulfate per liter.

Sodium sulfate is 68% sulfate, so you would need to add 441 mg/L, or 42 grams per 25 gallons.

Add it over a week or so.

Or just do water changes.

 

[Back2Reef]

If you buy and dose food grade sodium sulfate, you can boost it if you want.

If you want a 300 ppm boost from 2300 to 2600 ppm, that means 300 mg sulfate per liter.

Sodium sulfate is 68% sulfate, so you would need to add 441 mg/L, or 42 grams per 25 gallons.

Add it over a week or so.

Or just do water changes.

Thank you. Cheers.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You’re welcome.
Happy Reefing!

 

[GuppyHJD]

You’re welcome.
Happy Reefing!

A recent ICP test is showing I have Sulfur low and Mangnesium is high. I use BRS 2 Part for Alk & Calc, and Magnesium. The BRS 2 part Mag is 5 1/4 c. Magnesium Chloride : 2 c. Magnesium Sulfate.

Current values S - 718 mg/l, Mg - 1431 mg/l, Na - 11,362 mg/l.

How to raise Sulfur without raising Magnesium?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sodium sulfate would be the thing to use if you want to boost S (sulfate).

The mag part, are you dosing it based on the dose of the alk/calcium parts, or on measurement of magnesium? Using this method and mag measurement along with a high mag salt mix will likely lead to low sulfate by not dosing enough magnesium.

 

[GuppyHJD]

Sodium sulfate would be the thing to use if you want to boost S (sulfate).

The mag part, are you dosing it based on the dose of the alk/calcium parts, or on measurement of magnesium? Using this method and mag measurement along with a high mag salt mix will likely lead to low sulfate by not dosing enough magnesium.

Randy,
I use the RMM and monitor the magnesium via ICP about every 6-8 weeks.
Each time I mix a BRS calcium gallon, I add 400ml of BRS Magnesium solution.
With my Sulfur at 718mg/l and thinking I want to increase 232 mg/l. Would I mix 343 mg Sodium Sulfate in 1lt water and dose 100ml a day until gone?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy,
I use the RMM and monitor the magnesium via ICP about every 6-8 weeks.
Each time I mix a BRS calcium gallon, I add 400ml of BRS Magnesium solution.
With my Sulfur at 718mg/l and thinking I want to increase 232 mg/l. Would I mix 343 mg Sodium Sulfate in 1lt water and dose 100ml a day until gone?

Which BRS magnesium? One is short in sulfate since it is not intended for this particular use.

 

[GuppyHJD]

Which BRS magnesium? One is short in sulfate since it is not intended for this particular use.

Randy,
I am using the Magnesium 2-part Maintenance - 5 1/4 c. Magnesium Chloride : 2 c. Magnesium Sulfate.
If I order pharma or food grade Sodium Sulfate, and dose doing forward?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy,
I am using the Magnesium 2-part Maintenance - 5 1/4 c. Magnesium Chloride : 2 c. Magnesium Sulfate.
If I order pharma or food grade Sodium Sulfate, and dose doing forward?

2 cups sulfate, or 3?

Maybe their volumes changed due to density differences, but my original recipe is 5:3.

In any case, food grade sodium sulfate is a good choice and easy to use. I can guide amounts, if needed. :)

 

[GuppyHJD]

Randy,
I am using the Magnesium 2-part Maintenance - 5 1/4 c. Magnesium Chloride : 2 c. Magnesium Sulfate.
If I order pharma or food grade Sodium Sulfate, and dose doing forward?

2 cups sulfate, or 3?

Maybe their volumes changed due to density differences, but my original recipe is 5:3.

In any case, food grade sodium sulfate is a good choice and easy to use. I can guide amounts, if needed. :)

Randy,
A guide for sodium sulfate solution and recommended dosing would be helpful.
Thank you

 

[GuppyHJD]

2 cups sulfate, or 3?

Maybe their volumes changed due to density differences, but my original recipe is 5:3.

In any case, food grade sodium sulfate is a good choice and easy to use. I can guide amounts, if needed. :)

I have this sodium sulfate being delivered. My Sulfur tested at 718mg/l and thinking I want to increase 232 mg/l? What would your recommend for mixing and dosing?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’d dissolve it in ro/di and add over a few days. It will cause a small salinity bump.

How much water volume?